I got my journal back

[alt_sally_anne]

When Jeremy and I got home for summer hols his parents sat both of us down and told us that Things Were Going To Be Different. That we would have to EARN our privileges, that we're entitled to regular meals (thank goodness for that!) and a bed to sleep in but there were all sorts of things they said were special privileges and we would need to show that we deserved them. Like my journal and Jeremy's broom and pudding and the wireless and comics and loads of other things I don't much care about (or don't have anyway).

Jeremy was furious and they had a huge row. He said he'd been punished at school for the things he did at school and now they were punishing him at home too and it wasn't fair. And they said it had nothing to do with punishing anybody, it's just that Things Were Going To Be Different.

I didn't see much point in arguing. I'm usually good at behaving myself so I thought surely they'd give me my journal back soon. They had chores for me and I did them, and they wanted me to look after Gemma and I taught her how to make bracelets and I helped her make one for her mum. Mrs Stretton liked the bracelet but apparently that didn't count as earning any privileges. So then another day we got up early and I helped Gemma to make breakfast in bed for Mrs Stretton and she got all dressed up in her dress robes and I plaited her hair and we surprised her before she got up, and that actually made her cross, she thought I was ONLY doing it to get my journal back and really I'm not sure what she expected, taking it away, I thought surely she'd WANT me to do things to try to get it back. But evidently not. So I went back to just trying to be well-behaved.

I thought maybe it would help if Jeremy were also behaving himself so I gave him some suggestions and he actually listened, since he really wanted his broom back. He spent a whole day smiling and saying 'thank you' when they'd criticise him but apparently that was sort of like making breakfast in bed, they knew it was an act.

So then today Jeremy set the east wing of the house on fire. He said that he was practicing some very advanced charm and it went wrong and when they were cross about THAT he pointed out that the book was in their library and said he was bored because they wouldn't give him his broom back and wouldn't it be better for everyone if he had other things to do?

I was afraid they'd take away his wand, but instead they gave back his broom and then said I could have something too so I asked for my journal.

Anyway I'm well and I've been following the news, the Strettons gave their muggles a holiday to celebrate and their mudblood as well. And thank you for the owls, everyone who sent one, especially Pansy! I wrote back anytime the owl was willing to wait for a reply but it's just not the same as having a journal where I can see what people say right away! Newspapers are good for big news but you don't hear what your friends are up to in the Prophet.

Comments

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Do you think he's really dead?

[alt_pansy]

I'm glad you liked the letter. And that you've got your journal back, too. I can't WAIT for you to come and visit me. You're just going to love the horses, and I can't wait to show you everything, and it'll be so much more fun to have someone around here I can really talk to.

It does sound like Gemma is being really sweet and nice, which is good. And now that you've got this back, we can talk back and forth right away, but if you want to write owls too, we can keep doing that just for fun. Because getting letters is always a treat, and it's more private that way too. Sometimes.

[alt_ron]

It's really great you've got it back. Has Stretton got you to go flying with him yet?

Mum finally let us out to do some flying this morning, but she said we had to stay in the orchard and not fly down along the stream or out over the fields. But it was great. I mean, I was so tired of having to be inside all the time that I was almost out of patience with chess even. And that's really saying something.

[alt_neville]

Glad to see you popping back up on the journals. Thanks for your letter. My sister Evelyn really liked the origami cat you sent, and she said to tell you that she hopes she can learn a little about charmed origami from you at school next year, maybe?